Off-the-track horses:

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  An information hub

Anne is a graduate of The University of QLD, studying both Equine Science and Agricultural Science. Following her undergraduate studies, Anne completed a PhD (at the University of New England, Armidale) in the field of small ruminant parasitology, looking at the immune response to parasites in pregnant and lactating sheep. The focus of her research shifted back to equine parasitology in the years following her PhD and is now driven by the emerging global issue of drug resistance among the important gastrointestinal parasites of horses. Anne also teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students in Agricultural and Equine Science at The University of QLD.

Rebeka R. Zsoldos is an animal biomechanist who graduated from the Animal Science Faculty of the University of Kaposvar/Hungary (2008). In Vienna/Austria, she then completed her PhD on the biomechanics of the equine cervical vertebral column at the Movement Science Group at the Veterinary University (2011), followed by her own collaborative research project titled 'Generic Motion Models based on Quadrupedal Data' at the University of Natural Resources together with the Veterinary University and the University of Bonn/Germany (Multimedia, Simulation and Virtual Reality Group). During this time, she taught Animal Biomechanics to undergraduate and graduate students.

Having completed the project, she continued work with her collaborators at the University of Bonn in Germany. After that she worked on a mathematical approach to the elastic behaviour and shape of the equine spine as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Computational Sciences Group, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

After graduation from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 2007, Albert did an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada followed by a private practice internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky. Albert moved to the University of California, Davis for his surgical training where he stayed and worked as an Equine Surgical Specialist for a further two years. One of Albert’s projects during his time at UC Davis was the development of a new technique to deliver stem cells in the equine limb using regional limb perfusion.

Albert moved to Australia in 2014 and worked at Camden Equine Centre, University of Sydney for almost three years before joining The University of Queensland.

Albert is a specialist in equine surgery and he became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in February 2013. Albert enjoys all aspects of soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. He has a particular interest in managing performance problems in endurance horses and minimally invasive surgery.

John is an Associate Professor in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia. John has 129 publications, in the areas of impacts of harsh climatic conditions on livestock, physiological responses to heat stress, modeling the impact of climate change on animal production (beef, dairy, sheep) and ruminant nutrition. He is part of an international team which has recently developed new thermal stress indices for livestock and a heat stress risk assessment model for feedlot cattle, and is currently developing a heat stress risk assessment model for dairy cows.

His work has largely focused on gaining an understanding of animals' physiological responses to acute and chronic heat stress, the development strategies to ameliorate the impact of high heat load, and the likely impact of future climatic conditions on animals (domestic and wildlife). John's expertise in environmental physiology has also recently been applied to equine heat stress.

Qualifications:
• Diploma of Applied Science, Queensland Agricultural College
• Bachelor of Applied Science, Queensland Agricultural College
• Graduate Diploma Management, Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education
• Graduate Diploma Economics, University of New England
• Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
• Master of Agricultural Studies, The University of Queensland

Jaz completed her PhD in Equine Science at The University of Queensland where she investigated Vitamin K and Vitamin K-dependent protein (VKDP) functioning in the horse, and its relationship to the development of bone issues. Prior to this, Jaz undertook an Equine Nutrition & Exercise Physiology internship at the world-renowned Kentucky Equine Research (KER) in the USA.

In addition to nutritional related teaching experience within the equine, veterinary and animal science space, Jaz has lifelong experience with horses and livestock, and is passionate about educating the next generation of animal scientists. Jaz has a particular interest in equine nutrition and has been involved in nutritional and exercise physiology research with production and companion animals.

Kate is an equine scientist (B EqSc), and researcher with a PhD in horse behaviour and training (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney), equestrian coach (Equestrian Australia and British Horse Society) horse trainer (John and Josh Lyons Certified Trainer). Kate has ridden, trained and competed in Dressage, Jumping, Western and polo in Australia, Europe, USA and Asia.

After years of experience starting horses for clients, Kate feels strongly that owners are best served by learning to train their own horses. As a result, she founded Kandoo Equine and has developed a series of ethical, easy-to-follow, step-by-step guides that are suitable for horses and riders of all levels.

Kandoo Equine - About Kate Fenner

Since June 2012, Ditta has been working with harness racing trainers to repurpose and rehome their Standardbred ex-racehorses to pleasure and competition homes. In this time, she has rehomed just over 160 Standardbred horses and eight Thoroughbred horses. Her passion for these horses and their career post-racing originates from time spent working as a strapper as a teenager and coming to appreciate the incredible work ethic and trainability of these horses.

Ditta has completed studies at The University of Queensland including a Bachelor of Applied Science with an extended major in Equine Science, and a Bachelor of Equine Science (Hons I). Ditta is now enjoying tutoring and demonstrating in the UQ Equine Science program and educating people on the value of an off-the-track horse as a ridden prospect.

Kyal is the principal farrier of Grant Forge & Farriery, located in the Lockyer Valley region of Queensland. Kyal’s primary focus is evidence-based farriery with emphasis on the biomechanics of horses in line with their physiology and evolutionary development and hand-fabrication of shoes to meet the requirements of individual horses. Kyal is passionate about all aspects of farriery and regularly collaborates with equine veterinarians and researchers locally and overseas; he is also an active participant in Australian farrier industry bodies. Some of the highlights of Kyal’s professional career include the establishment of a farriery training and business skills program in Indonesia and being an invited speaker at the Australian Farriers Conference in 2019.

Jessica graduated from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga in 2014 and initially worked in mixed practice in Tamworth, NSW. In 2017 Jessica moved back to Wagga Wagga to complete a residency in equine medicine at the Veterinary Clinical Centre, Charles Sturt University. Alongside the residency, Jessica completed a Doctorate in Veterinary Studies with a thesis entitled ‘Equine gastric ulcer syndrome: Observer reliability in ulcer grading and investigation of pharmacological and clinical influences on gastric pH’. Jessica became a diplomat of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine in 2021. On completion of the residency, Jessica worked in private practice in Victoria before joining the equine medicine team at The University of Queensland Equine Specialist Hospital.

Joe is an undergraduate in the School of Veterinary Sciences at The University of Queensland. After a decade of employment in ambulatory equine veterinary practice, Joe brings to the platform a wealth of experience, knowledge of all aspects of horse health, and in particular a special interest in equine dentistry, equine welfare and the enforcement of animal welfare legislation. Some of Joe’s most notable contributions to equine health include his longstanding working relationship with the RSPCA Qld Inspectorate, countless community educational seminars on all aspects of equine health, and international travel to provide health care services alongside other industry professionals for horses in Indonesia in conjunction with the charitable organisation, Animal Aid Abroad.